October 19, 2024
Some weddings feel like they’ve been quietly unfolding for years before the actual day ever arrives. Emily and Andrew’s story is exactly that kind of love. They first met back in 2013, started dating in 2015, and after years of long distance, life transitions, and growing alongside each other, their wedding day felt like the natural next chapter in something already deeply rooted.
Emily and Andrew’s wedding took place at the timeless Oaklands Mansion, a space that already feels like stepping into a storybook. With about 90 guests, the day carried this intimate but elevated feeling. Romantic, intentional, and grounded in family.
Their vision leaned into a soft Bridgerton-inspired aesthetic with wisteria purple, sage green, and white woven throughout the details. Everything felt natural and elegant without ever feeling overdone.
The day began in the charming getting ready spaces on the property. Emily got ready surrounded by her closest people, with the quiet anticipation that always builds in those final hours before everything begins. Andrew got ready just steps away, keeping that sense of closeness even while they were apart.
Emily’s first look with her dad, which happened before anything else unfolded, was so special. It was such a tender, emotional moment full of pride, love, and that quiet realization of how big the day really was. There wasn’t a single rushed second, just the two of them taking each other in and being fully present before everything began.
After that, Emily and Andrew shared their first touch before the ceremony. With no first look between them, this was their chance to feel close without actually seeing each other, and it became one of the most grounding parts of the entire day. Standing just out of sight around a corner of the mansion, they held hands and took a few quiet breaths together, letting everything settle before the ceremony.
In that space, they read their vows privately. No audience, no distractions. Just their words, their emotions, and the weight of what they were stepping into together. It was deeply intimate, honest, and one of those moments that lingers long after the day is over.
When it came time for the ceremony, they waited to see each other for the first time at the aisle, which made that moment even more powerful. Everyone in attendance could feel the anticipation building, and when they finally locked eyes, it carried all of the emotion from their first touch straight into the ceremony.
Family was a huge part of their day, especially with portraits carefully planned around meaningful groupings and natural interactions throughout the property. We focused on keeping everything relaxed and documentary in feel, allowing space for genuine connection instead of anything overly posed.
The grounds of Oaklands Mansion, especially the tree-lined areas, gave us the perfect backdrop for those timeless family and couple portraits.
As the day moved into the reception inside Maney Hall Ballroom, the atmosphere shifted into something warm and celebratory. Guests moved easily between moments of heartfelt toasts, emotional dances, and pure joy on the dance floor.
From the first dance to parent dances and even a beautiful mother-daughter dance that opened up into a shared moment with other mother-daughter pairs, the entire evening felt layered with connection.
The day carried such a grounded, intentional energy from start to finish. Emily shared that her biggest priority was simply staying present and moving through everything with calmness and care, and that really shaped how the entire celebration unfolded.
As the formal parts of the evening wrapped up, the energy shifted into the dance floor opening, and it didn’t take long for everyone to fully lean in. What started as a soft transition turned into a full celebration, with guests filling the floor and the night taking on that effortless, all-in kind of joy that only happens when everyone feels completely comfortable together.
As the night came to a close, Emily and Andrew made their way outside for a bubble send off, surrounded by their favorite people cheering them on. Waiting just beyond the bubbles was a classic vintage car, which felt like the perfect final touch to an already timeless day.
Vendors:
Venue: Oaklands Mansion
Florals: Murfreesboro Flower Shop
Hair & Makeup: Bride (DIY)
Dress: Liz Leigh Bridal Studio
Suit: Men’s Wearhouse
Cake: Courtney’s Sweet Confections
Catering: CJ’s Catering (Chef Jeff)
DJ: Nashville Party Authority
View the full gallery here:
👉 Emily & Andrew’s Wedding Gallery
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